(Closed) Diamond district.. That much cheaper???

Nope. I also live in the NYC area and we had gone there to find a matching band for my tacori. It seemed there weren’t many tacori vendors left for some odd reason. We ended up finding a much better deal in Philadelphia.

Lizzy604: Hi Lizzy, yes they really are- BUT beware. I have gone to the diamond district many times- not just in NYC where I was working at the time, but also at various other diamond districts when we were on vacation/

I say this because the reason you are able to get such great deals is because there is usually a lot to choose from and they have all different kinds of diamonds. Some places are reputable, but others- not so much.

If you do go to the diamond district only buy a diamond that has all of the paperwork and make sure that after its set, that this is what they gave you in your ring. Sure you can save money on a diamond that isn’t certified, but then you won’t know if it is clarity enhanced, fracture filled, etc… The first thing those vendors will do is ask you if you don’t mind getting a diamond without paperwork to save a lot of money. In my experience, this isn’t worth it. You will still be paying a lot of money for a diamond that isn’t worth it and may have some really big flaws that aren’t visible to you at first, but by the time you notice the problems it will be too late. Make sure you check everything yourself with a loupe and that you really know what youre doing. Definitely take the paperwork you have and get an independant appraisal to make sure it all adds up. Some great deals are definitely able to be had in the diamond districts, you just have to check and double check everything and you have to know what you’re looking at.

When I was looking for earrings, there was a girl in one of the nicer stores I was in, crying about how she took her ring to an independent appraisal company with the information that came with her diamond and it was a bogus appraisal. Her diamond was clarity enhanced and filled and she cracked it within 2 months of having it. She took the diamond to a company and they told her that there was no way that diamond was what was written on the paper so she went back to the store she bought it and the owner was accusing her of changing the diamond and now trying to get them to replace it for free. yikes.

My husband’s cousin bought his now wife her ring and diamond at a private jeweler in the diamond district and he spent A LOT but her diamond is amazing. (for reference he spent about $14k on a 1.23ct diamond) but it is an E color and IF super ideal, came with all the paperwork and he got a second opinion/appraisal done before he had it insured.

I think the important distinction here is certification. For a certified diamond, you are NOT going to get a diamond thats so much cheaper. Probably cheaper than a big name chain jewelry store, but not that much cheaper than a reputable independent jeweler. What you can get for half price are clarify enhanced, non certified diamonds. Which I personally would stay away from. I lived in NYC and wouldn’t even consider most of the jewelers at the diamond district with a few exceptions of those that are very well-known in the industry. I think you have to go your stuff and know the right jewelers. Go to pricescope and get a recommendation from them for a jewelery in the Dear Daughter if you really want to go that route.

My husband bought my GIA certified diamond in New York City. He got a fantastic deal from a reputable jeweler. It’s all about who you know and where you go whether you go to the New York City diamond district or to your local jeweler.

My ring is from the diamond district and it’s an antique art deco three stone diamond ring (18k white gold). It was around $500, I have seen equivalent rings in online stores and fancy “antique” jewelry boutiques for around $1,200.